Help to keep safe at home

VULNERABLE families and the elderly could be missing out on free services designed to keep them safe and warm at home.

Mears Home Improvements Kirklees receive funding from Kirklees Council to help the elderly and people with poor health to stay in their own homes and out of hospital.

Six handymen cover the Kirklees area and branch manager Cheryl Armstrong is keen to make sure local people make the most of the service.

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She said: “We are getting increasingly busy with the cold weather setting in, although I am sure there are lots of people out there who are suffering as they do not know about our services.

“If people are having trouble getting in and out of their home, especially as it gets icy, we can fit an external handrail for them to hold on to which can stop people from falling and ending up in hospital.”

This service is free to over 60s on council tax benefit or pension credit and heating can be fixed and boilers repaired or replaced for free. The handymen can also fit bannisters and even change lightbulbs to prevent the elderly from hurting themselves.

Families with adults or children with long-term health problems that could be made worse by cold weather can receive free gas repairs. Mears also have funding for visiting homes to complete energy assessments – and can fit radiator valves, room thermostats and draught proofing – for people with health issues.